Asm. William Colton

Requires instruction in arts and music education to be incorporated into curriculums for all public school students; requires school districts to ensure that appropriately certified teachers are providing such education; authorizes rules and regulations consistent with such provisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates a $10 one-time service charge for veterans applying for special license plates in New York. It directly affects veterans of the U.S. armed forces who currently pay this additional fee when requesting veterans-themed license plates. The bill removes the $10 charge from multiple sections of the vehicle and traffic law, while maintaining the standard registration fee. Veterans will no longer pay this extra fee for these plates, though regular registration costs remain unchanged. The change applies to all existing veterans' plate programs covered by the amended law.

Establishes the New York Teach Program conditional tuition waiver; requires participants to teach at hard to staff school districts for four years after graduation in order to have tuition waived in full for accelerated bachelor's and master's degree programs in education.

Prohibits any cannabis related advertisements in establishments within a certain distance from schools; increases penalties for prohibited advertisement of tobacco and cannabis products; requires enforcement inspections.

Provides that restaurants may provide single-use plastic straws to customers when explicitly requested by the customer; prohibits single-use plastic stirrers.

Requires disclosure, in such form as the superintendent shall require, of non-confidential information regarding step therapy override requests and determinations on a website that is readily accessible to the public.

Defines the term "construction projects" to mean the construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation or improvement of any school building where a district receives any apportionment for debt service or building aid and the school building is sited within the Long Island region; provides that each contract involving the award of a construction project shall require the use of a project labor agreement for all contractors and subcontractors on such project.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 5158) requires for-hire vehicles carrying nine or more passengers (like taxis and ride-share vans) to have New York state-issued license plates to receive mandatory safety inspections. Vehicles with out-of-state plates would be denied safety inspections under this rule. The law specifically applies to vehicles with nine or more passenger seats (excluding the driver), as defined in the bill. It changes inspection eligibility based solely on license plate origin, ensuring these vehicles meet New York's safety standards through state registration.

Directs the department of health to develop state food guidelines for foods purchased, served, and sold by state agencies, programs, and institutions and on state property.

Prohibits the New York state environmental facilities corporation from entering into contracts, leases or other agreements with entities that are not compliant with the requirements of article five-A of the general municipal law regarding participation by minority- and women-owned businesses.